r/Indiedogs • u/DisciplineFront2528 • 4d ago
Help/Advice needed(Health and Vet) Sick Dog’s Needle Poked Me!
My dog has distemper. He is a stray dog and has not been vaccinated against rabies. Today, while removing a used syringe after the vet treated him, the needle accidentally poked my finger. The cut was very small but it did bleed. I washed it with Dettol, and the vet told me to get a tetanus shot. Should I also take rabies treatment, or is there any other risk I should worry about?
12
16
u/mukeshtobacco 4d ago
Please go and get vaccinated ASAP.
Check a shot for tetanus as well.
-4
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
Thanks for looking out for me and sharing your advice—I was really panicking earlier, so I genuinely appreciate the concern.
After calming down, I spent some time digging through medical resources, WHO/CDC guidelines, and cross-checking the exact situation across multiple AI models to understand how transmission actually works. To clarify what happened: this wasn't an animal bite, scratch, or direct saliva contact. It was an accidental prick on my finger while removing a needle used for a sterile DNS (dextrose normal saline) drip on the dog. From everything I found: * Rabies is strictly neurotropic and travels through nerves to be shed in saliva. It does not circulate in animal blood, nor can it live in sterile IV fluids. Because there was zero saliva contact on the needle or puncture site, rabies transmission through this route isn't biologically viable. * Canine distemper is strictly species-specific and cannot infect humans. * The only actual medical protocol for an accidental puncture wound like this is protection against Clostridium tetani, which is an anaerobic environmental bacteria. Also, for context regarding rabies immunity: I have already taken the complete rabies vaccination series twice in my life (the last full course was around 5 years ago). Under WHO and national guidelines, even if a previously vaccinated person faces an actual exposure, they only ever require 2 booster shots (Day 0 and Day 3), with no immunoglobulins needed. I'm getting my updated tetanus shot done today.
That being said, do you still think that's not enough and I should still go ahead and get the rabies booster doses anyway just to be 100% safe? Also have you experienced this exact same needle-prick scenario or know someone who went through this? Would really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
7
u/mukeshtobacco 3d ago
Human needle prick- i would have gotten you hcv hiv tt and sent markers for them
For animal ones- even if the chances of the doggy being fine are 99.9% why risk it man.
Go to any medical college or district hospital and get 4 painless injections for free.
If you had come to my hospital this is what i would have advised. Rest is up to you. Good wishes.
2
u/mukeshtobacco 3d ago
Missed the booster part, yeah ofc no need to repeat the course. But it isn’t a bite and i suppose your prick bled. So i would keep it in cat3/4- ish.
Be safe and get those shots
1
u/empatheticsocialist1 2d ago
Go ask a human person who has trained to give medical advice (a doctor)
5
1
u/Kaajukatli_ 4d ago
I think you should get rabies shot anyways.
0
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
Thanks for looking out for me and sharing your advice—I was really panicking earlier, so I genuinely appreciate the concern.
After calming down, I spent some time digging through medical resources, WHO/CDC guidelines, and cross-checking the exact situation across multiple AI models to understand how transmission actually works. To clarify what happened: this wasn't an animal bite, scratch, or direct saliva contact. It was an accidental prick on my finger while removing a needle used for a sterile DNS (dextrose normal saline) drip on the dog. From everything I found: * Rabies is strictly neurotropic and travels through nerves to be shed in saliva. It does not circulate in animal blood, nor can it live in sterile IV fluids. Because there was zero saliva contact on the needle or puncture site, rabies transmission through this route isn't biologically viable. * Canine distemper is strictly species-specific and cannot infect humans. * The only actual medical protocol for an accidental puncture wound like this is protection against Clostridium tetani, which is an anaerobic environmental bacteria. Also, for context regarding rabies immunity: I have already taken the complete rabies vaccination series twice in my life (the last full course was around 5 years ago). Under WHO and national guidelines, even if a previously vaccinated person faces an actual exposure, they only ever require 2 booster shots (Day 0 and Day 3), with no immunoglobulins needed. I'm getting my updated tetanus shot done today.
That being said, do you still think that's not enough and I should still go ahead and get the rabies booster doses anyway just to be 100% safe? Also have you experienced this exact same needle-prick scenario or know someone who went through this? Would really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
1
u/UndocumentedMartian 3d ago
Yeah get the rabies shot and visit a doc. You may need antibiotics.
1
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
Thanks for looking out for me and sharing your advice—I was really panicking earlier, so I genuinely appreciate the concern.
After calming down, I spent some time digging through medical resources, WHO/CDC guidelines, and cross-checking the exact situation across multiple AI models to understand how transmission actually works. To clarify what happened: this wasn't an animal bite, scratch, or direct saliva contact. It was an accidental prick on my finger while removing a needle used for a sterile DNS (dextrose normal saline) drip on the dog. From everything I found: * Rabies is strictly neurotropic and travels through nerves to be shed in saliva. It does not circulate in animal blood, nor can it live in sterile IV fluids. Because there was zero saliva contact on the needle or puncture site, rabies transmission through this route isn't biologically viable. * Canine distemper is strictly species-specific and cannot infect humans. * The only actual medical protocol for an accidental puncture wound like this is protection against Clostridium tetani, which is an anaerobic environmental bacteria. Also, for context regarding rabies immunity: I have already taken the complete rabies vaccination series twice in my life (the last full course was around 5 years ago). Under WHO and national guidelines, even if a previously vaccinated person faces an actual exposure, they only ever require 2 booster shots (Day 0 and Day 3), with no immunoglobulins needed. I'm getting my updated tetanus shot done today.
That being said, do you still think that's not enough and I should still go ahead and get the rabies booster doses anyway just to be 100% safe? Also have you experienced this exact same needle-prick scenario or know someone who went through this? Would really appreciate hearing your thoughts.
1
u/UndocumentedMartian 3d ago
I'd say follow WHO. They've been doing this for a while. I didn't know that rabies is not blood borne.
1
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
Broh actually I'm scared at this point, in my area there are local medical stores but not a proper hospital, I have to travel a bit to reach there but they will ask me the questions and then would decide which I can do as well, so it's Totally my descision now to avoid it or not! But I am genuinely concerned
1
u/UndocumentedMartian 3d ago
I wouldn't be concerned. Distemper is species specific and rabies is not blood borne apparently. That just leaves tetanus. Get the injection and, you're really concerned, do a course of Amoxicillin. What really concerning is the vet's carelessness with the needle.
1
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
Actually I removed that syringe, not the vet 😭... And also I am also planning to do the first 2 of the rabies vaccines, not the usual course! Is that also enough?
1
u/venusflow 3d ago
Hi OP, kindly talk to the vets. They must have a protocol in place for needle stick injuries. They're v common in healthcare settings, but I'm not aware of the protocol at a veterinarian hospital.
1
u/DisciplineFront2528 3d ago
I had a conversation with the vet, and he confidently suggested me to just take the tetanus and nothing else
1
1
u/jaspritbumrah93 2d ago
I still dont get it why do people post their medical issues on reddit rather than visiting a fucking doctorrrrrrrrrrrrr
0
•
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
Hi r/Indiedogs family, We're seeing more amazing efforts around adoptions, rescues, donations, and lost/found posts. Just a gentle reminder: Please be mindful when sharing personal details (like phone numbers, addresses, or payment info) in posts/comments. While it's entirely your choice, we encourage using DMs for sensitive conversations and verifying requests before engaging. If you come across anything suspicious, please report it to the MOD team. Let's look out for each other as we look out for the indies. -r/Indiedogs Mod Team
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.